Sunday, May 13, 2012

The military situation in the Kivus remains volatile, with fighting continuing throughout the weekend as the mutineers - now dubbed the M23 movement - have migrated from their Masisi stronghold to the border with Uganda and Rwanda. The potential headlines from this week should include: "Congo army finds new confidence," "a mutiny stands its ground," and "army defections spark tensions between Congo and Rwanda."

Beginning late last week, Gen Bosco Ntaganda and his officers began leaving the Masisi highlands, traversing the inhospitable brushland behind Nyamulagira volcano and crossing the Goma-Rutshuru road in Kibumba. A large convoy clashed with Congolese army soldiers there on the morning of Tuesday, May 8 before making it to the Rwandan border, which they followed on their way northward, toward Runyoni and Chanzu, hills on the edge of the Virunga national park. The rebels captured these two hills on May 10. There was further fighting there on Saturday and Sunday as the Congolese army deployed several of its newly-acquired attack helicopters. They repelled an attack, but have been unable to re-capture the hills.

The fighting has displaced thousands of people, including over 7,000 people who have fled to Rwanda.

The more reliable estimates of the mutineers' strength range between 300 and 800. For some perspective, that should be compared with the 6,000 soldiers the CNDP integrated in 2009. The group is led by Col. Sultani Makenga, the former deputy commander of military operations in South Kivu.
Gen. Bosco Ntaganda's whereabouts are the subject of much speculation - every hour a new rumor pops up - but the mutineers still deny they are collaborating with him.

The Congolese army, on the other hand, has deployed several thousand troops in the area, along with tanks, artillery and attack helicopters. The United Nations blue helmets, who helped the Congolese army defend against a crucial attack in Masisi last week, are not currently participating in the fighting.

Given the mutineers' position on small patch of land next to the national park, it is unclear how long they can hold out without supplies of food and ammunition. They were reported to have dug up an arm cache when they first arrived there, which may sustain them. However, unless they are able to conduct raids into the surrounding villages, or establish supply routes through Rwanda, they could soon run out of supplies.

Meanwhile, talks have been ongoing in Rubavu and Kigali between
the Congolese and Rwandan governments. The Congolese have been
represented by Kalev Mutond (the head of intelligence), Col Jean-Claude
Yav (the head of presidential security), Gen Didier Etumba (the
commander of the army), and the new defense minister, Alexandre Luba.
Officially, the talks are only consultations, given the Rwandan government's role in bringing about the integration of ex-CNDP in 2009. The talks have been cordial and have discussed issues such as operations against the FDLR and the return of Congolese refugees, but, according to officials
present in the talks, there has been little progress on the main issue -
the fate of the mutineers.

While both sides are still refraining from any overt accusations, tensions are simmering beneath the surface, as Congo officers grumble about suspected support to the mutineers from across the border, and the Rwandan government points to reports of abuses against Kinyarwanda-speakers by the Congolese army. And yet, the peace deal holds.

115 comments:

Anonymous
said...

It's about time the congolese government establish it authority through out congo. I am supporting a military solution that is the only way we can bring peace in the east. I realy have hope for my Congo

Dear Congolese, be sure that that war will not end by Helicopters attach. Instead, set done and discuss objectively for the peace in Eastern Congo otherwise, J. Kabila will always have an excuse for never developing our Congo.

I beg to differ, if the ongolese army are well equipped and orgarnised the will be able to route out the rebel movements in the east and subsequently the government will be able to establish the law in the area. Remember the war in the east is not among congolese but among congolese and foreigners, specifically Rwanda.So I don't understand why do we need to have a discussion with foreigners who are occupying our territory and are stuborn to live

There is no need to continue negotiating with PAUL KAGAME and his war criminals.the only thing that they want is to destroy the D.R.C, because they think a stable and peaceful D.R.C present a threat to Rwanda. and this mentality is common in Rwanda from a taxi Driver to a government Minister they all think plundering Eastern Congo is the only way for RWANDA to get out of poverty. after misleading the international community and getting away with war crimes and crimes against Humanity that are only comparable to the crimes committed by the Nazis, Rwandan President PAUL KAGAME and his war criminals will stop at nothing in their quest to destroy Eastern Congo and plunder its mineral wealth. it is time for the Congolese Government to stop wasting time negotiating with war criminals because the only thing that will stop Kagame and his Criminals is military pressure. the Rwandan army is nothing but a tribal militia and it is time to confront them once and for all. the so called CNDP,M23,....are all cover up names for the Rwandan Military. Bosco Ntaganda and his so called CNDP rebels are all Rwandan Soldiers who where sent By KAGAME to infiltrate the Congolese Army to further weaken the army and our nation in order to facilitate PAUL KAGAME and his War criminal general's quest of plundering Eastern CONGO's Vast Mineral wealth.they shall be no more endless and fruitless negotiations because force is the only way to bring lasting peace and stability to our nation.

It is time for the international Community or the ICC to start putting pressure on Rwandan president PAUL KAGAME to deliver BOSCO NTAGANDA's former boss (LAURENT NKUNDABATWARE)to the ICC so that he can also face JUSTICE for the war crimes and crimes against humanity that he committed in CONGO. everyone needs to know that Both convicted war criminals (THOMAS LUBANGA)and Wanted (BOSCO NTAGANDA) where all serving under the command of LAURENT NKUNDA during the KISANGANI massacre, and the failed BUKAVU occupation that resulted in the massacre , executions and rapes of tens of thousands of Congoles Man,women and children by the CNDP rebels under the command of LAURANT NKUNDABATWARE,JULES MUTEBUSI and BOSCO NTAGANDA.but at this momment ,war criminal LAURENT NKUNDABATWARE is walking freely in KIGALI under the protection of the Rwandan Government. it is time for Rwanda to also deliver LAURENT NKUNDA so that he can also face justice for his well documented war crimes. when LAURENT NKUNDABATWARE was still committing his crimes he did a bragging interview with CNN's UNDERSON COOPER,and when president Kagame was confronted on the BBC's HARD TALK for his support for war criminal LAURENT NKUNDA, president Kagame denied any association with the CNDP or LAURENT NKUNDABATWARE.but now war criminal" LAURENT NKUNDABATWARE" is living freely in KIGALI under the protection of the RWANDAN government,but it is time for NKUNDABATWARE to be delivered to The ICC and face justice for the war crimes and crimes against humanity that he committed in the Congo alongside THOMAS LUBANGA and BOSCO NTAGANDA.all we are asking for is justice for the people of Eastern CONGO who have endured so mach suffering in the hands of this Criminals.

Ref # "...tensions are simmering beneath the surface, as Congo officers grumble about suspected support to the mutineers from across the border, and the Rwandan government points to reports of abuses against Kinyarwanda-speakers..."

Unless this is just a set of words but it seems obvious that rwanda think it is allowed to do whatever pleases it in DRC.

Since when speaking the same language gives the right to meddle in someone country's affairs? According to reports there are around 40 000 displaced people due to the recent conflict. The IRC documented that the 1998-2007 conflict may have caused both directly or indirectly an excess death of at least 5 Million Congolese ... Is the DRC even allowed to claim that to be a good enough reason to think about or start supporting enemies to the rwandan regime?

I can say there is a strong correlation between trouble in eastern DRC and its perpetrators escaping to rwanda; hence I can conclude that rwanda is the handler of those causing troubles in eastern DRC.

There have been troubles between communities in DRC, for intance the Katangais and Baluba (Kasais) none of these communities sought help or from any country to settle the argument. These communities relied on Kinshasa to solve the problem. the same can be said for many other inter-community tensions within the DRC. Why is it that the so called kinyarwanda speakers think they are allowed to have a preferential treatment in a country where more than 400 communities live in peace with one another?

In conclusion, the biggest problem in eastern DRC is that of LOYALTY there are some 'alledged Congolese' who are more loyal to other nations than to the DRC. These people must make a choice. In the long run, biffing up the DRC's military capability will be the lasting solution since this will allow the central government to impose law and order on the DRC land regardless of what kinyarwanda speakers think.

Sorry I don't think there is a point for me to keep my cool on this issue.

On Thursday 10th May 2012, there has been a conference "War in eastern DRC and its hidden agenda" on the recent conflict at the University of Kinshasa (UNIKIN).

Four interesting topics were discussed at the conference:

1. Governance as a factor of balkanization2. The balkanization of Congo: an international project3. National identity and Balkanization: a sad tandem4. Political reading of the conflict in the East: the balkanization on our doorstep

This is quite unprecedented since the conference was held at the initiative of students. It is so refreshing to know that young Congolese are now engaging with challenging issues confronting their country.

To those thinking they can endlessly enjoy a ride on the back of an injured lion, they must know that the resolve of Congolese people to keep that country together and to make it a better nation is just as stronger.

Despite their many mistakes and inconsistencies Congolese from any walk of life or community never sought to exterminate one another. Those with that ideology are wrong and they are in a wrong country if they think they can sell that idea in DRC.

I don't see why Kigali is taking exception only of the mistreatment of Kinyarwanda speakers. as far as i can tell, everybody is suffering from these cyclic rebellions.I won't be surprise that Kigali is helping here. An officer in the army said that they were attacking the rebels and suddenly they appeared from nowhere at they rear. That reminded me what happened to Padiri before the siege of Goma.I don't understand what is the military strategy of the FARDC at this point and why the Monusco wait to assist. Isn't what they wanted?The M23 plan seems to be : retrieve our arms, control our supply route and wait for reinforcement(defection and Rwanda). I believe the FARDC should work hard to cut off those supply routes first, fortify those frontiers. Conquering the hills will come later.

Well said, I think keeping hold of Bunagana is key to exposing rwanda and uganda's double game in this sad circus.

I just read on rfi, rwanda is offering to mediate in this conflict. I'd rather have the ICC mediate than rwanda how can you genuinely mediate in a conflict where you are clearly a belligerent?

DRC must identify a genuine mediator and set a comprehensive plan on how it is going to ensure the protection of both rwandan (security against fdlr etc...) and other communities' interests (business, land conflcts etc...) in the region. To do this the DRC can appoint a high ranked military official LOYAL to Kinshasa rather than kigali. this military official can be vetted by all parties in the conflict, he will need to be conciliatory and allowed to use both the carrot and the stick in order to balance the imperatives of peace and justice in that part of the country.

ENOUGH with rwandan mercenaries (2004 mutebusi, 2009 nkunda, 2012 bosco and possibly 2016 makenga) ENOUGH it is time to have someone loyal to Kinshasa and eliminate all the parallel chains of command within the FARDC.

Don't forget that Rwanda paid in dollars and blood to help Congolese get rid of Mobutu. Joseph Kabila was helped just the same way Ntaganda and everyone else is being supported! Loot resources, etc why is Congo not rich, its resources can enrich neighbours and not itself? Congolese, without Kagame Mobutu would be still in power, what have you paid him back, insulting him?

@ Rich,Idk what stupid games Kinshasa has been playing. As I feared last week, that cease-fire didn't workout well for the FARDC, the troops moral took a deep. I'm afraid that as long as we will have creators and fifth columns in the army. nothing will be done. You know the trend : Fardc claiming early victory-Cndp striking back- Rwanda "brokering" a "political" solution. I wonder why those peaceful people from Kigali are not interested in a political solution with the FDLR. Quite ironic ,hein?I don't think this integration thing should have been and should be implement again. Everybody should be in the army according to their merits, not their tribal allegiance. We should not be like the tribal RDF.

Maybe I'm wrong, it seems to me that the people from the m23 were the same supposed to flush out the FDLR. So what happened? Why are they blaming all to Kinshasa? I don't understand what they are saying. It's illogical for me.

I personally think we negotiated the 2009 peace deal from a very weak position. Remember, in 2009 nkunda was at the gates of Goma and we had no alternative but negotiate.

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B9yj5k04Lx1oTmNvc2ZPZk5YS28

However, that bought us some valuable time to get some serious work with the FARDC done.

Now things are a little bit different and I would like to believe we still have a few more options to increase pressure on M23 and its handlers.

You are right being in the army should be a tough selection but you need to start from somewhere and before 2009 we were nowhere near having what can be called an army. Now, I think we can be allowed to have some kind of hope although this is still very shaky.

Putting things in a context, I would say, if negotiation there is going to be, we may be in a much more comfortable position this time round (compared to 2009) provided the military pressure holds and that Rwanda is prevented from continuing unscrupulous behaviour in an already troubled country…

Kagame is a true criminal. He ought to be arrested as well as Joseph Kabila. These two assassins are the reasons why the likes lower assassins such as Laurent Nkunda and Bosco Ntaganda are even relevant. These four assassins need to be arrested for justice to be done. Most Rwandais are poor as hell and those who are rich are those Tutsi getting heavily paid by the Kagame propraganda folks. Hypolite Kanambe alias Jospeh Kabila and Paul Kagame must go if you want to get Congo as a whole as well as Rwanda developed.

U say that because Kagame may have helped LD Kabila, somehow he is entitled to destroy Congo forever.

Know this: recent african history is rich with stories of neighbour helping neighbour without wanting to destroy them afterwards. How about Ghana's Nkrumah who staked the modest budget of his nation for the decolonisation of other african countries? Tanzania's Nyerere helped Museveni topple Idi Amin for nothing. For decades, Ugandan people gave food and shelter to P Kagame and others, and whatever else so Kagame could shoot down Habyarimana and take over Rwanda. The whole of Africa and notably Tanzania, Zambia, Angola, Zimbabwe, Mozambique shed their blood and gave their all to end the supremacist apartheid regime in South Africa. They never demanded arm and leg afterwards.

Anyway, how much should we pay Kagame for our people to live in peace so that we can realise what Congo is: the sine qua non engine economy of Africa?

Damn, i nearly forgot! P Kagame has already paid back HIMSELF handsomely with the blood of 6 million congolese and the smuggling of congolese coltan and gold worth +- 20 million dollars.

Congolese have nothing against any rwandan but the kagamist-extremist lot who seek our annihilation. But,P Kagame can cut short all this TODAY, because the struggle for justice in Congo will survive him. Some of us are still young, we will hold out for our beloved, darling Congo-cherie!

Ref # "Don't forget that Rwanda paid in dollars and blood to help Congolese get rid of Mobutu..."

That is incorrect, what dollars did rwanda had in 1996? rwanda paid in blood it thurst to avenge those they think committed genocide in 1994.

Ref # "without Kagame Mobutu would be still in power,"

That is inaccurate as a matter of fact mobutu died since September 1997 and it wasn’t kagame who killed him.

Ref # "what have you paid him back, insulting him?"

You should check the statistics of rwandan export between 1997 and 2007.

There may be some truths in what you are trying to say however, Angola did just as much in the fall of mobutu. In fact, mobutu even gave savimbi an entire military base in DRC but Angola never did to DRC what rwanda is doing. The Congolese opposition, Congolese students did just as much to weaken mobutu... I don't know why you think the fact that rwanda participated to the fall of mobutu allows it to somehow behave in an unscrupulous manner in DRC!

Trust me; our resolve to pull the DRC through the on-going humiliation is STRONGER than kagame’s resolve to nurse and shelter individuals indicted for war crimes.

Yes we Congolese have our problems but we NEVER EVER SOUGHT TO EXTERMINATE ONE ANOTHER through genocide or domination and that's what makes Congo's future prospects much enviable than rwandan's...

Dear Congolese, forget about the use of Helicopters and other huge military equipments without a serious army. CNDP-M23 have a serious cause whenever is ignored, Kinshasa can win today even if I doubt but the problem will remain. Remember some few element about the March 23 deal, it was about reconciliation, strong army, cohabitation etcBelow are summarized key points:1. CNDP will integrate its troops into the police and army and become a political party;2. The government will release the CNDP prisoners;3. The government will publish an amnesty law for crimes committed since June 2003;4. Both parties will work toward reconciliation, and the government will create a ministerial portfolio in charge of internal security, local affairs and reconciliation;5. The government will create local reconciliation committees and a police of proximity in tune with the concerns of the local population;6. The return of refugees from neighboring countries;7. To declare North and South Kivu as "disaster areas" and to invest in development project there;8. That for good governance it is necessary to have an administration that is close to the people (the CNDP went on the record saying it wanted greater federalism or "découpage");9. CNDP went on the record saying it wanted administrative reform, with new, technically competent agencies in charge of public administration;10. Both parties agreed that comprehensive security sector reform is necessary;11. Both sides agreed on an urgent evaluation of the electoral framework to promote greater inclusiveness and prevent hate speech;12. Solutions would be found to integrate CNDP administrative officials and MPs who had been invalidated, confirm military and police ranks and treat war wounded;13. Economic reforms, including certification of minerals;14. Create a national follow-up committee to implement the agreement;15. Ask for the creation of an international follow-up committee. Those 15 points are key and basic elements for a sustainable peace is Eastern Congo.Obasanjo said one day: "Whoever ignored his past, is blind to the present". Let us learn from our past, let set down as Kivutians/congolese and discuss how we can build a power country (Congo)together with our brothers CNDP-M23 otherwise Congo will remain as it is. Let wait & see

It appears as though the burgeoning M23 movement may be hedging their bets with regards to Bosco. What are the odds that he is not involved? Is this purely a case of hoping to establish plausable deniability in the event that his arrest does become imminent? It may ultimately be a move by Rwanda to shield Bosco from arrest and the further investigation into Rwandan-led atrocities they have worked so hard to deny.

Of course, it is not in Kagame's interest for the DRC to stabilize. In fact, I doubt the DRC will ever know peace so long as Kagame is in power. Kagame seems to be secretly devising a plan to balkanize the region. Let's not fool ourselves that he wants any serious "mediation". This is a man who believes in TOTAL war. He is fond of saying, "if you want peace, prepare for war".

The question is what should Congolese do to protect their citizens in the east? First, people have really suffered beyond the imaginable. In places like Masisi or Walikale, there has been constant fighting since 1999.

While Tutsis in Masisi have their defenders, the other ethnic groups are without any external support. As it seems, Kagame wants to Tutsify the eastern region.

Kagame must be resisted. Congolese have to openly tell him that he needs to negotiate with the FDLR. If the FDLR is no longer in the DRC, Kagame will run out of excuses for interfering in DRC affairs.

Should Kagame refuse to negotiate with the FDLR, then it will be imperative for the DRC to ream up with FDLR to get rid of Kagame. This was the senior Kabila’s strategy before he died. History might vindicate him.

The last option is for Ntaganda, Nkunda et al. to declare their loyalty to Rwanda. As the bible says, one cannot serve two masters.

The M23 is just a cover up name for the Rwandan army. If Kagame thinks he is going to mislead the world forever he is fooling himself. This time I hope monusco stays out of the way and let the FRDC deal with this once and for all. There shall be no more negotiations with Kigali.all frontiers with Rwanda have to be sealed and the so called refugees should not be allowed back to CONGO until they are identified to be real Congoles. This refugee trick is just away for Rwanda to move 5 to 10 thousand soldiers in civilian clothes back to north kivu .if KAGAME wants to negotiate he shall start negotiating with the so called FDLR and he shall be integrating them into the Rwandan Army and stop using them as an excuse .the KINYARWANDA speaking people who have been living inside CONGO will have to choose where they belong ,they can't continue to call themselves congoles and give their loyalty to RWANDA .with over 400 ethic groups,no ethnic group deserve a special treatment. All Congoles shall be treated equally and those who have been committing treason against the state ,deserve to be punished .enough is enough.

Anony 8:53, 'Kagame wants to Tutsify the eastern region'...Yes, that is the grand plan and it must be implemented at any cost. Remember that March 23 Agreement is one of the strategic tools in ensuring that the plan is implemented before Kabila junior goes out of the office. Take example of the so called 'return of Congolese refugees'....if this is implemented, it is going to open flood gates of Tutsis from the region who will enter Kivu through Rwanda and Uganda.

....creation of local reconciliation committees and a 'police of proximity' in tune with the concerns of the local population ...this is synonimous to creating a tribal army that will be trained by Govt money and should be deployed to protect Tutsis.

In short there are a lot of hidden agenda in that March 23 Agreement which DRC Govt was forced to sigh as Nkunda was at Goma town gates.

Not long after the return of 'refugees' you will hear people claiming their country (as South Sudan did), and then some days later announcing union with Rwanda. If that happens, (god forbid) Katanga and others will follow suit.

I don't think Kinshasa and the M13 are telling us the whole truth. Each sides is manipulating the facts and people fears to advance their agenda.Let's not forget that the people who are crying fool today were the same who were supposed to flush out the fdlr and al, secure the region and facilitate the return of the refugees.What happened since 2009? A lot of Cndp soldiers had high commands( I never saw so many colonels in one region), they bullied the population to vote for Kabila, they maintained their chain of command and apparently they still had their arms caches.Did they flush out the Fdlr or brought security to the population? People from the East should inform us.From what I see of their demands, it's appear to me that it's mostly everybody in Congo wanted : peace, reconciliation, resolution of conflicts, justice and development. It's not the monopoly of the community they are defending.I believe that they hijack the democracy first by imposing their candidates and secondly by taking arms again and causing misery.I don't think the return of refugees is a problem. If we walk away from our feelings and establish an independent commission to examine everybody claims in impartiality, we should come up with real solutions. For now, politicians are playing with our fears of the unknown, our suspicions of fouls plays. Unless we address those problem in all honesty, we will have wars after wars.I once told my aunt that since my village was inhabited I should go back and sell the land. She told me something I will always remember: everybody knows who is the owner of any given land. You can kill the owners today but the community will always know.I think Kinshasa should stop playing games and be serious in every levels. I f the government shows that it can protect the population and be a just referee to conflicts among communities, I bet those adventurers will lose their supports. No parents will let's his kids join their cause.For the moment, the government just cares about power and more power. I think that as in mobs wars, they are just trying to take another mob turf (Rwanda). The latter is just pushing back.

@blaiseThe reality is that most people like you from western Congo will never accept a Swahili speaker from the East as their president ,and most people from the East will never accept a ether barbaric guy like Mobutu or jp Bemba to lead the Country.efter KABILA finish his job of flushing out the Rwandan invaders,the final job will be to partition the Country between the SWAHILILAND East and the lingala west.because its almost impossible for many lingalophones to accept the swahililanders as real Congoles .

@richyour first comment on may 14th is just great. i'm also interested in your second one as I've just finished a quick research on identity of youth congolese in uvira. can I have your mail address? I would like to discuss a little bit with you if possible.

Blaise and others, don’t worry about the divisive bile of Anonymous @ MAY 15, 2012 9:47 AM As a congolese u r entitled to criticise whomsoever, starting with J Kabila. This anonymous is not a Congolese, he is a ghost. I have read some of his characteristic red-herring hogwash before in other postings.The point is, the enemy of the Congolese people is so surprised and frustrated to see just how Congolese from every corner luv their country and are attached to the integrity of their land. In fact I would inform the enemy that people from the east of Congo are even more patriotically attached to the integrity of our land. Look, how they r fighting because they know that losing Congo is living in perpetual servitude like Hutus in Rwanda now.Strange terms like “Swahililand”, “Western Congo” and “Eastern Congo” are unknown in Congo except in the American (international) press. The term “Eastern Congo” especially has been fabricated to construct an artificial mental entity “pour le besoin de la cause”: the balkanization of Congo.By the way, BARRIE WALKLEY, the very chap who saw through the partition of South Soudan from Soudan for oil, was recently appointed “Envoy to the Great Lakes” after unbearable pressure from “NGOs” and “Congo experts”. To DO WHAT? How come there is a crisis there we don’t see or hear him?What is certain is, since the project of the balkanization of Congo is practically impossible to implement, the enemy will engage in psychological warfare to sow division amongst Congolese. Divide and rule as usual!

@ muanacongo,thank you friend, I'm not really concern about those diatribes from a person who seems to put his tribalism in front of him. I really don't care if Jk is from the East or the West as long as the job is done. Unless I'm mistaken, 10 years latter, his leader still doesn't deliver and still blame Mobutu for that. From where I come from, being member of a tribe is accessory to being the best.Ad majora natus sum. That's right!!!!

I want to thank you for your thoughtful positions on the DRC’s tragedy,I am one of those who have come to appreciate your pertinent and measured posts. I have said it before we are dealing with a simple “provocateur” who resides in lalaland with lalaland ideas of a “Swahililand” utopia. The DRC is one and will always be one. Some people, might dream otherwise but it will always be that a dream. You are right, Mobutu has long been gone, the AFDL and its numerous descendents have been in power for the past 15 years and the suffering and the misery of the DRC citizens have never been this bad even under the lowest points of “l’Aigle de Kawele”. After 15 years in control of the DRC by the Easterners, one can come to the conclusion that the deep misery of the Congolese people today is caused by the presence at the head of the Institutions of incompetent "Easterners"(toute tendance confondue). They have been incapable of managing the DRC period. We are been told that in 2006 like in 2011,JK, the incompetent was elected because of the electorate in the West.The Bandundu province made the difference each time(who does not like who). If indeed Swahililand's theory (“Westerners do not like Easterners and would not vote for a leader from the opposite side and vice versa) was true, how do you explain the fact that JK,the Trojan Horse has been elected twice as head of state and each time because of the electorate in the West which made the difference.

Section”Biochimie” is what I did in High School at College Saint Francois de la Salle in Lubumbashi, I am unable to conclude in Latin, keep the good work, I am one of those who is appreciative and who is learning from the constructive ideas that you post on this bog.

If you feel like taking your mind away from the conflict and look at another aspect of Congo. I suggest you check the following link.

It is about a top football player Vincent Kompany a Belgian whose father is Congolese. Vincent plays and is the captain of the current champions of the English Premier League (BIG BIG Star of football). He has volunteer to work with a charity involved with poor children in Kinshasa.

There are 4 parts to the video I lost count how much I watched them and everytime I find it ever so inspiring... enough said hereis the link.

@ Bismark,where have you been?lolThank you for your thoughts, always appreciate. I personnally don't understand some people's narrative that has nothing to do with reality. I guess in coucouland Kabila is the greatest leader of all time.I think congolese, in general, don't care that much about where people are from as long as they deliver. Khonde vilakikanda is, in my view, the perfect example.Don't take me wrong, tribal affinities is a reality as well. But I believe it's more an human nature trait than anything else. It happened in the western world as well. They just give it another name like base, home state, courant,etc: black people voting for Obama, White people for MacCain, Romney winning his "homestate" of Michigan,etc.# Blaise

Thanks for bringing the story of Vicent Kompany to the attention of the people on this blog.It is indeed a heart warming story about someone of Congolese descent not forgetting his roots.As a kid, I knew Vincent Kompany, the father in Lubumbashi, he was a student at the university / Unaza/ Kasapa and a player for TP Mazembe Englebert. I saw him play several times and he was a good a right wing player. His son Vincent is proudly following in his father’s foot steps playing as the center back and captain in the defense of Manchester City in the Barkley’s league in the UK. As I write these lines, we have someone of Congolese descent who is a Champion of England, it is indeed something to be proud of and it shows that excellence can be Congolese too...

I was in the DRC trying to make sense of what happened in November of last year. After seeing the degree of the misery in the cities and in the countryside, I am puzzled that the DRC citizens choose through an election to keep the status quo ante. I am still hoping for the best because of the resilience, determination and courage that I saw in the average Congolese citizen who is completely aware of his predicament but needs guidance.

Thanks so very much for bringing up a topic that is closest to my heart: Congolese excellence. Because, as the image of the Congolese has been so tarnished in the last while, the only way we can pull ourselves up, like the Jews, is through excellence.

Talking about Vincent Kompany, I mean, the boy has been such an ambassador 4 Congo in the most commercialised, televised and competitive soccer league in the world, the English premier league.

Where I am, I usually brag to my other fellow Africans, and it is true, that though Congo is not an English-speaking country, yet u have more Congolese players in England than any other African country, be they English-speaking. (Man City’s captain Kompany, Bolton’s world famous cardiac arrest survivor Fabrice Muamba,Gael Kakuta and Boyata, Chelsea’s Jose Bosingwa, Blackburn’s Nzonzi, our national team captain West Brom’s superstar Yussuf Mulumbu, Swansea City’s Leroy Lita … (the ones I know about).

If just in sport, what does it tell u? Congolese are spread across the globe and will succeed against all odds. With peace, less corruption and more good governance Congo will stun the world!

As someone said, the case of the DRC and rwanda is similar to that of a house that caught an uncontrollable fire then unscrupulous neighbours, instead of helping, they take the advantage to enter the property and behave in a rather cavalier way.

I am more than confident that the DRC will pull through and help many countries in Africa. This humiliation has gone for far too long and I must say, it looks to me that the same people calling for the end of impunity in the country are not prepared to see the Congolese put some of its communities and indeed some of its neigbours at the same footing.

It is my impression that there is a massive double standard when it comes to telling off DRC or rwanda. rwanda has always enjoyed an easy ride hence behaving like an abused child that grew up to become itself an abuser.

@ Rich,unfortunately that our tragedy: our psychotic neighbor is shroud with smokes of respectability.I always wondered why Carla del ponte never finish her investigations against the APR. When I read about those massacres like Makobola or those rapes, I'm strike by the similitude with the Rwanda's genocide. I wondered if it's the culture or just some copies. You will think that after those murders, one will respect life.For the double standard, I'm afraid we have to share part of the burden. We don't make our voices loud enough. We don't raise our game. People will look at us from above. We need to make our voice count by infiltrating those international organizations and creating wealth. Nobody cares about a bunch of broke blacks peoples.I think we need to band together, forget our differences and raise like one. we just need some leadership. you have been in the FAZ, maybe you noticed that it wasn't a lack of qualify officers but more likely a lack of political will that destroyed the Faz and is destroying the Fardc. I believe that if today Kabila honestly opens up to the army, treat fairly all the soldiers, this war will be a matter of one week.

@ Rich, BlaiseIt goes without saying that for far too long, we Congolese have been disenfranchised. We have let others explain what is going on in Congo than ourselves. Forget our weak diplomacy; there are many tools on the Internet today that we should use personally to expose the world citizens to our martyr. You Tube, Facebook, many blogs that touch on Congo like congo siasia (hi Jason!). Because even one candle is more visible in the dark than the dark.

Second, because the USA is the most crucial country to end the continuing Holocaust of Congolese people, we need to find a way of exposing the American people to the truth about Congo that their media for some sinister reason hide from them. So since, America is a land of spectacle, I suggest that we enlist real American star activists, not to be our representative a la George Clooney in Soudan, but just so American people can be exposed to the plight of Congolese. Our enemy is very afraid of the truth.

We should target any American star of good will, manly African-American but not exclusively. To African-American we can always remind that many Congolese were taken into transatlantic slavery, look at “Congo Square” in New Orleans! So guys like Danny Glover, Oprah Winfrey, Revs. Jesse Jackson & Al Sharpton come to mind. We don’t need the government or money to do this. And everyone of us can do it, we just need to share how to contact these people.

As for the sickening double standard about Congo vs Rwanda, often u have an impression that u r reading an episode of George Orwell 1984, where we Congolese the victim, we r rather overtly or between the lines presented as the bad guy. Just pick any international article on Congo now, u will c!

So true, yes Blaise we have to share the burden and in all fairness those with whom we must share that burden are never shy to offload themselves whilst overloading our share of that burden.

In a few words, i can just say that things are not that desperate, yes we are victims, yes there is a double standard when it comes to representing facts about the DRC, yet the Congolese of the 1960s is very different from the Congolese of the 1980s and even more different from the Congolese of the 2010s. I say this because, we could be considered as a sacrificed generation due to the collective yet irresponsible legacy we've inherited from both the international community and indeed the Congolese political class. Mind you, only 30 years ago Congolese used to dance for a man in the morning before they start work, we were told to change the name of our dog when one of our former president got married to a lady whose name was similar to the name of our dog (Bobby)... My father got suspended from work because we failed to finish painting white and cutting grass at one of our properties in a road where the convoy of one of our former president was meant to pass...

I don't think Congolese today will ever dance for a man before they start work, I don't think Congolese will give a damn what name they give their dog or indeed clean up the front garden because the convoy of a president is to pass by...

In other words, i'd like to say the future is bright for Congolese. Despite all our disagreements, I have never sensed that a given Congolese is ready to exterminate another Congolese because they do not agree.

There still a very long and hard way to go but I am confident that we are on the right path and that despite of all (ba calles) the struggles we are and will still pull through. That is what I call the Congolese spirit. The resilience the love for our unjustly humiliated country have only reinforced our pride and dear attachment to our national identity. I am a proud Congolese and I am proud to say, Congo never look for trouble with any of its neighbors let alone trying to dominate them. We are here for the long run and we will prove the world that the trouble they set for us only helped us to consolidate the sens of who we really are, a hospitable, happy, hard working, fun, friendly and loving people.

@muanacongoJesse Jackson is no friend of the Congo. Back in July, Paul Kagame was in Chicago holding an event called Rwanda Festival or something like that and Jesse Jackson was the host. Jackson made a big deal about what hero and humanitarian Kagame was. There were plently of local Congolese Americans outside the venue protesting.

I agree with you 100 percent but unfortunately here is the situation: Most Americans approve of what is going on in Congo. I mean many Americans find Congolese to be bad people so for them, it means nothing because to us, we are the villians. Many Americans want to continue to support Kanambe for his evilness and pain he has caused to many Congolese people. Life has been hard but Kanambe must go.

Plus many Americans favor the Tutsis big time. In fact a lot of Tutsis live in my state Minnesota. The Tutsi (well most of them) are cold blooded monsters. Tutsis have all the power.

”As someone said, the case of the DRC and Rwanda is similar to that of a house that caught an uncontrollable fire then unscrupulous neighbors, instead of helping….”

In my humble opinion, this description above is not quite to the point in describing our neighbor to the East and their actions. This description is actually very nice to the culprit. The question is who started the fire and what was the goal behind this action moving forward. From my perspective, our neighbor to the East (all tribes included) is responsible for the fire that you are talking about. He is the arsonist who is unscrupulous by nature. This bad neighbor is being helped in its plundering ways at the local level by another breed of unscrupulous people, the shameless, unconscious, careless, corrupt and incompetent Congolese political actors. “…They take advantage and enter the property and behave in a rather cavalier way…” that is the behavior of an occupation force, an occupier who is self assured in its ways since he is in control at every level. I have a hard time understanding why after all these years of “The Rwanda Game” in the DRC, the DRC government must go to our neighbor to the East to find a solution to a recurring and periodical DRC problem which is how to neutralize a rogue DRC general (supposedly a DRC citizen) who is leading a mutiny of Congolese soldiers on Congolese soil. (Nkunda, Mutebusi, Ntangana…)

How do you explain this fact for an independent nation with a new government supposedly issued from an electoral process? Where is the independence? Is the DRC a colony of Rwanda?Why must Rwanda be the referee in DRC’s internal affairs? Why the impulse to run to Rwandato neutralize the actions of Congolese soldiers? What kind of control does Rwanda have over these Congolese soldiers to be able to control their actions? Why is the Chief of the Army and Head of State not capable of controlling his own soldiers? Why must he run to Rwanda each time to sign military treaties that renders the same soldiers who are in a mutiny today stronger tomorrow?

I agree with you that in the long term, the DRC will come through but not with but the cast ofpeople that is presently in power and leading this country to a place of servitude vis a vis our neighbor to the East. The massive double standard you talk about is real and will go away the day we raise our standards in every field and assume our responsibilities as a nation. At this point,I agree with @ Blaise when he says that “For the double standard, I'm afraid we have to share part of the burden. We don't make our voices loud enough. We don't raise our game. People will look at us from above. We need to make our voice count by infiltrating those international organizations and creating wealth. Nobody cares about a bunch of broke blacks peoples. I think we need to band together, forget our differences and raise like one. we just need some leadership. you have been in the FAZ, maybe you noticed that it wasn't a lack of qualify officers but more likely a lack of political will that destroyed the Faz and is destroying the Fardc. I believe that if today Kabila honestly opens up to the army, treat fairly all the soldiers, this war will be a matter of one week.”I will disagree with @Blaise when he hopes that JK could open up the army, I am one of those who have stopped believing that JK can be a catalyst for positive change in the DRC; he has had a long 11 years tenure to prove me and others who think like me wrong. Our salvation resides with the DRC citizen and an enlightened leader or leaders, not the Trojan Horse.

Thanks for your comment. I willt ry to be short. I don't think I need to either agree or disagree with your perspective but let me just revisit some of the points I made and you seem to have problems with...

Ref # "He is the arsonist who is unscrupulous by nature..."

I did mention the legacy by both the international community and the Congolese elite. So, I am not trying to discharge the Congolese here.

Ref # " ... Why is the Chief of the Army and Head of State not capable of controlling his own soldiers? Why must he run to Rwanda each time to sign military treaties that renders the same soldiers who are in a mutiny today stronger tomorrow?..."

I think we need to be careful when talking about this situation because it is very easy to mix up unrelated topics and come to an erroneous conclusion. In my opinion, the FARDC has been infiltrated so badly and the fact that this is not quite an army that fits the standard of an average army (I'm not ready to debate why?), but I am not surprised that it is taking this long and this humiliation before that army can make Congolese proud.

We have tried to fight cndp and its backers we all know what happened. What do you do if you are unable to bit up your opponent? Continue to fight until you are destroyed? I think the 2009 peace deal although it was done by DRC from an unfavorable position, helped buy sometime to get some work done in restructuring the army hence this time round (so far) we have not experienced the kind of humiliation we saw back in 2008-2009 with the fall of mushaki, rumangabo, bunagana etc... thanks to a favorable context within the international community and the degradation of rwanda standing due to his bad behaviour in DRC.

So, similar to Blaise, I am hopeful that the overall context is playing in our favour but we must capitalise on it to make some positive steps forward.

Thanks for your comments.It would have been nice to know in general, why the army is so infiltrated(what lead to it) and what can been be done to change this fact and make Congolese proud. Is it a question of means, man power, political will...

I think one of the problem is the fact that LDK allowed the FAZ to be completely dismantled and dissolved in 1996-1997. An army is a nation's blood. You cannot have a nation when you allow its army to disband then dissolve.

With hindsight, it can be said that this was a plan by those who wanted to see a weak DRC had and they managed to convince LDK to do just that. By the way, I think LDK wanted to work with some FAZ high ranking officers like Gen Mahele but this never materialised and he allowed James to dismantle the FAZ. By doing so, James was able to put in place a structure that was ready to fulfill rwandan ambitions rather than Congolese ones.

The second problem is to do with loyalty. There are many officers especially in the east who are loyal to their tribes be it transnational or national than to their supposed country the DRC. With the dominant presence of rcd, cndp and now m23 in the east it was possible for them to feed their ranks with elements from rwanda or at least elements who share kigali philosophy rather than Kinshasa.

The solution is to be able to convince Congolese from any tribe or political background that they can be loyal to their nation but the nation must do well to deserve that loyalty.

The solution can also be to do as it has been done with the rapid intervention batallions in Kindu. These can be the core where the rest of the army can be built provided they maintain their reputation so far earned (They were deployed in Equateur against the Enyele, now they are deployed in N Kivu) and so far it can be said that they have not been chased like the FARDC of 2007-2009 were in the Kivus...

My humble view is that we need to distinguish our internal politics (elections, JK…) from our existential fight to live forced on us by the invader, that Kagame represents. For me, dealing with JK is the easier of the 2. Let us not make the malien mistake of uselessly feuding amongst them, now they have lost the biggest part of their country they were feuding about.

That said, I think the war in the east is also a battle for the control of world citizens’ opinion and good will. But we Congolese are not fighting this one yet, or if we r we r doing it the wrong way. We scream and shout instead of saying our say. In the end we reinforce the strange view that we r violent and villain. True, tutsis got the world’ s pity for the 1984 genocide, but I don’t think they r that much powerful. Its just that they understand how to play intl game to their advantage: appear to be courteous, serious, articulate and victim in danger, just appear, and the world will listen to u.

Yes I agree, the anti-Congo brigade has done such a good job of turning the world opinion against us, but we can change this because TRUTH is blatantly on our side. As anonymous @ MAY 17, 2012 8:46 AM says , Rev Jesse Jackson said all that about Kagame, but i also saw him last month in Belgium with Congolo-belgian deputy senate chief Mampaka, where he said quite the opposite, that the exploitation in Congo must stop (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFdmdH6uVJY&feature=related). U c, opinions r opinions they evolve with knowledge. The world , especially Americans are kept so ignoring about the situation in Congo. Let us change this. I am all for what we should do now (action) than what should have, will be to b done.

Thank you for your answer about the DRC's army.You have mentioned some interesting points, especially the historical perspective with Mzee. I hope that you are right and that those new units are indeed the begining of the new DRC's army eventhough it has taken a while.

You make some good points with regard to shaping public opinion. Americans certainly were horrified by the genocide in Rwanda and felt a great deal of sympathy for Tutsi survivors; the RPF were also very skillful in crafting a narrative of self-confidence and optimism going forward. Theogene Rudasingwa was a very effective voice for that narrative when he was Rwandan ambassador in DC. Now he has recanted - but he is a bit compromised as a spokesperson.

Global public opinion is evolving all the time. Sympathy for Congolese victims is growing, but rather than play the victim card (though justified) a better strategy would be to exude an assertive self-confidence regarding the future. And I think there is a lot to be optimistic about.

I agree with Rich that the FARDC has demonstrated a new sense of discipline and elan this time around - which changes the equation in terms of future diplomacy. I also agree that the wholesale dismantling of the FAZ in 1997 was a mistake - but I don't think LD Kabila had much choice under the circumstances at the time. I wonder about ex-FAZ units still in exile in Congo-Brazzaville living with a sense of wounded pride...do they have some constructive role to play in the future?

I have been reading most of your comments here. I am a HUTU who lived in refugee camps in eastern Congo therefore knows a thing or two. We have been condemned by the entire world because we defended our revolution, dignity and country.Yes after years of RPF assassination of our leaders and innocent people, in 1994 things got out of control. Exactly what Kagame wanted. Now you Congolese dont be like tutsis. Defend your land with dignity, stop playing victime games. It is your time you young congolese to fight and crash your enemy. Kagame and his friends in corporate world want your wealth. We Hutus were your gate in the east. FDLR is your gate in the east. They will fight to the end even with their back against the wall. Congolese please ignore your internal issues for a second and rule your world. Take it from me, so not negociate with no one for your lands, people and dignity. Together we shall win

@ Bruce,Ldk was supposed to have studied political philosophy in France, Serbia and Tanzania. Maybe he should have pay attention to the advices of Machiavelli in "the prince" : never dismantle a defeated army. Like I pointed out to @ Rich, I believe there was and still is capable soldiers in the actual army. The 1 millions dollars question is what Jk is doing with them. I personally know a major of the ex DSP who was able to train in 3 weeks a descent battalion in Kibomango when the AFDL was closing in Kinshasa.Where is he now? Far from the front.There are rumors that some officers from the East were systematically assassinating anyone bright enough to deserve a promotion. True or false, there is too much suspicion in the army.To go back to 2009 and even before that, I believe that " we didn't have bad soldiers, only bad commanders". I don't think that colonel Padiri,for example, although a great soldier, has enough of that know-how to turn the tie of a war. Prove is that even recently, a commander said that while they were attacking the m23 they were surprised to be attacked on they flank. I was just wondering where was their intelligence services? We had many stories during the Mlc-Rcd invasions of our positions in Equateur bombarded by our own aviation. Last week again, the rebels were laughing at the introduction of two assault helicopters because they were supposedly attacking some position already abandoned by the rebels. Is it incompetence or high treason? Maybe both.my point is that Jk just trust his tribal Gssp( now republican guard). The problem is that they are fake red berets ( not from Ceta). They are ill equipped to fight a war. Deploying those units with highly disorganized Fardc infantry was catastrophic. A war is won with the heart, Jk failed to capitalize that in 2009.The units @ Rich is talking about were eager to fight in north Kivu. Unfortunately, Jk had other ideas.When finally they got there and started to make progress, there was that ignominious cease fire. The moral of the troop took a hit. i believe the soldiers aren't sure about the president commitment to establish the authority of the State. I know for a fact that anytime a Congolese is murdered, people, even in the west of the country, make it personal. As proud compatriots, we want to put an end to those humiliations. The problem is that our leaders don't act as if they have the same commitment as the rest of the population. All it will take is putting real soldiers in charge and bringing back competency in the army. If general Mbuza Mabe, who wasn't the brightest in his class, was able to defeat Nkunda, imagine what a real officer can do.The bottom line is Jk need to review his plans and engage in real war games. The Faz helped Sassou to regain power. Jk should, in my opinion, use that wealth of knowledge to pacify the country. Unfortunately I don't see that happening.

@ Anonym MAY 17, 2012 10:29 PM, I know how you guys suffered( and are still suffering) all those wars and massacres. I'm sympathetic to your ordeal.That said, I don't believe there is any benefits for us to join forces with the Fdlr. that will be suicidal and a trump card for the Rdf to, once and for good, control the Kivus. The Fdlr doesn't exactly project itself as a defender of the population and democracy. I don't have a solution for Rwanda but as far as I can tell the Fdlr's presence in the Kivus is an enough excuse for Rwanda to support any rebellion at will.I just hope that the Fardc will prevail this time and peace will finally return into the Kivus ( minus the Fdlr hopefully). I believe real security for everybody will come when there will be neither Hutu or Tutsi militias in the Kivus. As the rest of us, you guys should resolve your problems by talking to each other.

"...Plus many Americans favor the Tutsis big time. In fact a lot of Tutsis live in my state Minnesota. The Tutsi (well most of them) are cold blooded monsters. Tutsis have all the power..."

How many Tutsi senators, congressmen, mayors...that represent your good state of Minnesota? Apart for the sheer nonsense of these kinds of statements, as a Tutsi woman I take exception on the xenophobic tone and tenor of these comments... and there are many on this page.

To u my gud lady representative of the Tutsis: Why do u kill defenseless Congolese civilians? When u meet as Tutsis, does it ever cross ur mind that peace is gud 4 everyone, Rwandan Tutsis first? Do u ever realise that Congo may lose many battles but Congo will win the war, and if that happens in an acrimonious context with the Tutsis u will be swamped by ur brotherly foes? Let me not imagine what might happen!

I would like to thank you for this blog.I read all the comments and I am happy to see that some solid "critical thinking" is growing within all the main commenters of the blog: Rich, Blaise, Bismack, muanacongo, and others.After analyzing all this, I will just add that, there is a serious issue of TRUST within all the alliances, communities, and the DRC people:

Can JK trust ex-Faz to come in and help him rebuild the country? Will they not plan to take him down? Can He also trust his former allies in Rda?

Can CNDP-M23 trust JK and the whole congolese communities to accept them in and join hands together for the rebuilding of DRC? It seems to me that they trust more their uncles from Rda? Is that a smart move? Is that also a reliable relationship? It seems to me that when things get tough, they flip side. Can they cut their ties with them and dedicate their loyalty to DRC and be sure that they will be safe wherever they go?

Can All congolese come to a common denominator and reach a sustainable peace and start planning the "Excellency" that some mentioned here.

No doubt - It is very much possible! "Excellency" is in the Congolese Blood, in ALL the tribes, all we need is a good environment to make it flourish and take DRC to a prosperous destiny.

Indeed the new generation are understanding it and there is HOPE. Preach HOPE wherever you go my people. I recently watched a movie: "The hunger game"- I will strongly recommend this and watch the analogy of what is happening in Africa and mainly in DRC. The Controlling Forces were against HOPE in this movie and any person who dared changing the rules of game against their plan, became a threat.

They said: "Too much HOPE, can be dangerous to us".

The power of HOPE is so strong and will shine any dark forces trying to keep our beautiful country in Limbo. Preach also LOVE. Let People love one an another, then Preach UNITY. United, DRC will go far.

While Preaching that, keep on learning, keep getting smarter, and wiser, learn the tricks of negative forces and plan ahead to neutralize their plans. Build coalition forces with Positive People, people who really wants to see things getting better, and strengthen your information networks and systems, to be informed always a head ot the game and plan accordingly. That is what the strong countries and communities of this world have done and if they did it. We can do it too! Then in years to come, DRC will be the leading force of change in the whole continent of Africa.

I need to pick up some of the points you raised but I'll do that later on today or tomorrow.

One thing I just wanted to say quickly is that, it is not true that best FAZ officers are not in the FARDC. FAZ is still the parent of FARDC and most FAZ officers ended up be reinserted in FARDC. However, this is a new structure still forging its own tradition etc... In other words, most FAZ did not reintegrate FARDC in their usual areas of expertise.

People like Mbuja Mabe were working with J Kabila since 1998, Gen Kisempia who used to be the head of EFO Kananga was a close collaborator to JK since late 1990, Gen Didier Etumba, Gen Dieudonne Kasongo, Gen Denis Kalume Numbi, Gen Liwanga, Gen Katshuva, Gen Oleko … this list can go on and on and on… many fell out of their boss’ esteem because of their own wrong doing (honesty with money), others were side-lined for various other reasons. However, I can confirm that the current commanding core of the FARDC is very much made up by ex FAZ although these are in different roles than what they did under FAZ. Here we also need to distinguish between ex FAZ officers who were mobutist and the rest with no political connections but wanted to stay away from the army for their own reasons…

You belive in TV so much my friend FDLR will be blamed for every killing happening in the region. Congolese soldiers, mai mai, all those groups commit crimes not directed from their leaders, but just becaouse the culture of impunity in the region. So FDLR is not the prime suspect here. There is a reason now Mai Mai are with us to fight against Tutsu proxis in Kivu...i got it. Congolese are affraid to boost FDLR so they dont give RDF excuse to annex Kivu. We are just an excuse. Withous us Kagame will find another one. So dont be affraid to confront RDF regardless. Playing games with an invader does not work. Stalin tried with Hitler so did Britain too. Both of them paid a heavy price. I belive that Kabila the father was on the right path and that is why they killed him. So if you are not prepared to possible loose life fighting for your country, you are wasting your energy my friend. Enought embarrassment for congolese. Stop negotiating your rights. Fight for them. Whatever they say about FDLR is just media warfare. Belive me i am a soldier in the west and i know what i mean.

I agree with you. Kagame must go too as well as Kabila. These two assassins have ruined Congo. Congo was going on the right direction until Kagame killed Laurent Desire Kabila. We all know that Congo was meant to be a great country but since LDK was not a whore for the US corporations, he was killed. Now Kagame got his ally JK allowing him to rape all the women in East Congo for free minerals and coltan that can be used by the US themselves. Congo needs a leader and JK has shown none of that. Kanambe is a man made assassin created by Kagame. MuanaCongo, we do need to arrest Kagame. Kagame and Kanambe must go.

@anonymous 6:58 amI hate to point but most of the powers right now in Congo and Rwanda are held by TUTSIS. I am hating all TUTSI but those TUTSI ruining CONGO and RWANDA ALIKE.

@ Rich, thank you yet again for your insight. Sorry, sometimes I like to push you a little bit in order to have another perspective.lolFor the Faz/Fardc, i have to confess that I had a rosy image of their capacities, based on my rapports with some soldiers. Never being part of the army tend to make us civilians believe whatever exaggerated exploits soldiers attached to themselves(making a defeat sounds like a strategic retreat).I still believe, however, that Jk still doesn't make the most of what he got. I think it's what you meant by "most FAZ did not reintegrate FARDC in their usual areas of expertise". I had another perspective of our strength until you keep mentioning this new brigade. All things considered, I understand now what you mean although I don't share your optimism. We still lack organization big time in the army. If you watched the logistics involved in war world 2, you may grasp the extraordinary gap between us and victory. Victory is an organization not an improvisation. Soldiers need to be fed, taking care, morale need to be maintain. There is too much wastes actually.Check this one out, fascinating story and wealth of sources.:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_of_the_Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo

@ Muanacongo and FrancopepeKalle,my brothers, I understand your frustrations and anger but I believe we should stay clear from Rwanda's narrative. I think we are better than that. I believe that people of Rwanda have to come in term with their demons. The seed of hatred doesn't grow as a beautiful flower. In the contrary, it spread like weeds.I think LDK, in his opportunistic way, push us in a dangerous path. we are lock in that narrative of Tutsi/nilotic invaders versus Hutu/bantu "gate keepers. I believe it all lies and manipulations. What we need, I think, it's JUSTICE. the politic of rejection just push people further from one another. One should ask himself : how will you react if you are consistently accused of all the sins in the world.we congolese are not know to be racists. Politicians make us act like it.It's true that our Tutsi brothers and sisters don't exactly help their cause by joining the troublemakers. Maybe they should think about their attitude. Maybe we all should talk about our differences and find what is holding us together.But ultimately, we will need JUSTICE. Justice for those who were murders, justice for those who were rape. Justice for those who lost their lands. Justice for all.Only an impartial investigation can tell us who is congolese and who is not. Who has to stay and who has to go. anything else is just fear of the unknown. As Sartres stated : l'enfer s'est les autres. Never yourself. We should reflect upon ourselves and stop inputting individuals faults to an entire race.

Well said Blaiseas usual but who is going to provide justice for all? Which credible institution in the eyes of all parties concerned can provide "real" justice for all.There is a deep frustration in the DRC with the situation in the East and everywhere else where impunity is the KING.How do you put an end to this, force? negotiations? a combination of carrots and sticks? who is going to achieve this?

Blaise, you are complicating matter here. The situation is very simple and clear. We know who is causing the problems in the East. The self-reflection you are calling for, while a noble idea, is not necessary. Nor will it stop Kagame from killing people or supporting his proxies.

The challenge ahead is to contain the Rwandan forces whether Hutu or Tutsi. The truth is that Congo coexisted peaceful with a Hutu-led regime in Rwanda for many years. Habyarimana never attacked Congo. He never supported proxies in the region. We need a regime like that in Rwanda. We cannot coexist peacefully when surrounded by belligerent neighbors that undermine our sovereignty. To think so is to fool ourselves!

Once again, the choices are very clear. Kagame must stop supporting these wanton killers in the name of CNDP, and must agree to negotiate with the FDLR. The problem here is that he refuses to negotiate with the FDLR, yet he cannot defeat them militarily. So the problem goes on and on. How many times have we invited him here to eliminate them? Why hasn't he succeeded? How much more time does he want? And are our people willing to suffer that much? What if Kagame does not want the FDLR defeated completely so as to give him the opportunity to continue interfering into our internal politics. Guys, we have to think critically here. This is the moment.

But to live in Blaise's timid world that knows neither victory nor defeat is dangerous.

Is there a Nilotic/ Hamitic war being waged against Bantus? While it is easy to dismiss this as sensational, the reality is much more complicated. Why did Museveni support Kagame's invasion of Rwanda and later into the DRC? Is this all coincidence?

In any case, Kagame doesn't have it easy either. And the Tutsis are far from monolithic. We can cooperate with the peace loving Tutsis and marginalize the same. It is not Tutsis that are the problem, but the power-hungry Kagames, Nkundas, and Ntagandas of this world.

I think you have just clarify the situation here. Since 1960 Hutu governments never had any invasion programs. Militarizing the region was never our goal. Selling us to Kagame will not buy peace for Congolese people. Unlike his father your president has cooperated with Kigali extensively to assassinate our leaders. That have not stopped FDLR and now ICC is reenforcing him. Kagame and his tutsi want eastern congo. The west wants your wealth before chinese get to it. There it goes marriage made in hell. It is not time to negociate fellows. You have been invaded. Make no mistake Kagame is playing on gour weakness. Crash him. As far as FDLR, IT IS THE REASON WHY HE KILLED KABILA. Kagame knows that with Kabila, it was all over for him.CIA gave a green light. Remember Lumumba's case???....also Kabila was going to be arrested and tried for war Crimes instead of Kagame.

@ Bismark and all,I agree with you that living in my "timid world" is dangerous.So is peace. Who wants peace get ready for war.Qui vis pacem parra bellum. All I want to say is that we should call a cat by his name. If Kagame is the problem, it should be Kagame, not the whole tutsi population. Doing the later put us among racists. Those who travel abroad may understand the feeling of be treated as not belonging.Let's entertain the idea of defeating Rwanda : how will that happened? If the Fdlr is so potent, what are they doing in Congo's forests? we blame all on JK but I rarely see people helping the red cross or other charitable institutions to help the distressed population.Who will provide justice? the people who are directly affected with help from a responsible State. You may remember that during that famous peace agreement in 2009, people actually started to talk to each other. If you can't defeat your enemy, maybe you may consider negotiations but not with a weaker hand.We have to be realistic here, we cannot "crash" Kagame unless we have an organized army. The RDF doesn't fear the Fdlr, they already infiltrated them. Your former general already gave them your strategies. they keep you guys alive in order to plunder Congo. Maybe I'm the dreamer here, facts on the ground show that people are dying every day and we still got that freaking rhetoric about winning the war.Check out this link and learn from yourselveshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_of_the_Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo

You are right. Kagame have invested a big deal in destroying FDLR. The old commander did say a lot, but historically thats normal with an organization in destress. Now the issue is the ones with a nation. How much did Kagame infiltrated Congolese Government?...or should i say control Congolese government...As far us being in the woods thats just the nature of war. We have to be somewhere. RPF was in Ugandan woods for years. Kabila was in Tanzania for decades. The only difference is those countries accualy helped them. Once again running away from the battle is not an option for congolese. You keep playing Kagame is gonna end up in Kinshasa. Last time Angolans saved the day. I see you have that mentality of "IF YOU CANT BEAT THEM JOIN THEM" some of us dont buy that. Army is build from a functioning popular government. I dont see any that with Kabila's government....and wikipedia my friend says what it just every media says. We are still alive. We have ups and downs due to Congolese government already weekened. But we will last more than gou think. Eventually we will emerge victorious. We are not afraid of war for a justified cause. Some will quite but many will join. Now my friend i am telling you freedom is not free. Dont think Kagame criminals will change their plans for a piece of paper

I am so disappointed with u Tutsi and Hutu brothers in that none of u wants to answer my simple question. Lets recap: How come u hate each other so much yet ur common sworn enemy is the defenseless Congolese women, children and the elderly? When last have u seen Kagame’s death militia of cndp and M23 fight their supposed enemy of FDLR and PARECO death squads? Instead each one of them is now fighting the Congolese FARDC. There are even reports of these 2 groups sipping beer after fighting FARDC together!

Just help me understand why u Tutsis and Hutus are killing Congolese on Congolese soil instead of fighting amongst yourself? Please spare me that baloney of media propaganda. I don’t trust media either. But I trust the daily cries of my people and I can see the “depeuplement” going on in the Kivus where people have been moved around so much that they cannot remember where their village is.

Though the thread of ur argument is compelling, here is just a thought: If I were a Tutsi I would not rely on security by the gun, it is uncertain and ephemeral. History is full of invincible armies defeated. Who would have thought that congenitally incapable FARDC could today push the super-invincible-bulletproof-professional Tutsi fighters from the Congolese inland of Masisi and Rutshuru to the hilly villages that border Rwanda? What if by accident in 5, 10 years FARDC get better training, equipment and little nice air power? I know u think Kagame will steal win.

Look, real security for Tutsis (at least those in Congo), is easily attainable if they stop believing in Kagamist-supremacist-expansionist-predatory agenda and pay allegiance to Congo like all the other 400 tribes. No Congolese hates Tutsis by default!

@ anonym MAY 18, 2012 10:01 PM,Don't take me wrong my friend, I don't specially care about your beef with Kagame. Just or not just, it's your fight not ours. We are not in a position to help ourselves, how can we help others? Maybe you forget history, we helped Habyarimana several times (Mahele/Nyabolwa), sanctuary in 1994. Ldk armed you guys in 1998 and so forth. How many more help you guys need to defeat the RDF? What are you personally doing to change the tie of the war? As far as I'm concerned it's the congolese people who are paying for your killing spree in Kigali in 1994. You got 800.000 we are losing more than 5 millions so far. Have the decency to put things in proportion. If you take time to read(actually read) what it say in this article you may realize what is the state of the Fardc. For your information, the angolese didn't save the day by themselves, we kicked some ass ourselves. I saw a platoon of Angolese running for their life in Ndjili while we stand tall.You want Kigali to negotiate? Maybe you should get my "mentality". Where are the Fdlr when those people are killed? Don't trust the media? Inform us than. What are you personally doing to go back to Kigali?

@ Muanacongo,you got me wrong here brother,if you read carefully what I said before you may realize that I don't think that Kagame and his army are so powerful and that the Fardc can't beat them. I'm advocating a dialogue between the people, everybody, not just Hutus and Tutsis. What the Fardc should do is to secure everybody in order to gain people trust. We can easily defeat the Rdf if and only if we have the right people in the right place and the organization that goes with a military operation. It's not the first time that we pushed those people back. The problem has always been to secure those position for a long run so that nobody else come fill the void. the problem we are having now is that only 1400 if I'm not wrong has defected so far. The Cndp had a strong 4000 units. Do the math, how long do you think they may regain this number if somebody decide abot another cease fire? How many may defect now? The hutu dude was right about those infiltration in the government and army, all I know it's that everybody is out there for themselves, not a master plan for a tustiland.You right about the fact that the Tutsi population should not rely on arms for their right but as long as we don't talk to their different circles, we will make the mistakes to put the whole tribe in the same bag. Everybody is not for Kagame. I will rather trust Masunzu who had a tracking record of defending Congo than the allusive Fdlr who, as far as i'm concern , are Rwandese.

LOL...WOW..you are not paying for our dids. You are paying for your existence man. HUTU or not in Congo dont blame us. Thanks for the help too.Mobutu tried tried and i was there trust me i saw it all. Kabila the father tried even with against all odds. Mai mai started like you separating their fight from ours. In the end they changed their mind. What i know is that whenever we got support from Kabila the father, Kagame was not able to do anything. However we are a small army design to defend a country 90 times smaller than Congo. You loss millions of people not becouse of FDLR. And the media, is for Kagame in every step he takes. So go ahaid base you ideas on it. Take responsibility and as far i see we survived over a decade. We will be ok. If Congolese army was organize at least at the level of FDLR, they would not be needing those Fake integrations from Banyamurenge, who are giving you troubles now. FDLR is not even invilved in this fight.

@ anonym MAY 18, 2012 11:42 PM,I understand that you are not under an actual tree in Masisi laughing at my post.lol. I confess, I'm nt doing much to kick Kagame out. How about you? Your fight is based on hatred. Nobody asked you to defends us. You should be in Kigali giving hell to Kagame and defend your people. Nobody blame the Fdlr for everything. You just part of the problem like Kigali and his sbires. We had our own problems like in Katanga, you guys just brought more. How do you finance your efforts? Propaganda again?

Maybe you should listen to the former general Bule to understand what I'm talking about when I'm referring to the army and his organization.http://radiookapi.net/files/13052012-p-f-GrandT%C3%A9moinMohmedBule-00Pad1.mp3

You have got limited knowledge about Tutsi and Hutu major problem.Ask Belgians why they did this. And I would like to let you know that you are still reflecting racism ideology - which leads to genocide. @ othersStill westerners are dominating for the current crises - We are just talking and predicting what we do not know. Why M23 brought another condition which have never been in 2009 peace deal like;1)The contract of chines should be reviewed2)Thang Fort must go out of this region commandments.Do not you see the smoke for the third party to be behind?

These Tustis and Hutu fighters are still needed for the future unknown deal by any one.It can be JK,Kagame,Westerns,USA or even one of you.The Problem of Tutsi's and Hutu's is very sensitive - not the way you think for the moment.Lecturing in University or having a doctorate degree or posting on Congo siasa can not finish this region.

Where did you read that m23 wanted the Chinese deal to be reviewed? Can you share your sources please?

However, I don't think the fact that m23 wants the Chinese deal to be reviewed has any serious consequences or backed up by both known or unknown facts (Though many of us here are yet to see that claim in m23 documents...)

Unless you have started to follow this crisis only recently! let me say that already in November 2008 laurent nkunda and the cndp wanted the chinese deal to be reviewed claiming the deal "was not beneficial to Congolese..." we all know what happened to that claim.

The cndp at that time even went as far as asking for j p bemba to be freed etc...

This was well documented at that time and with a bit of luck if you search this information on the net you should come accross it from many reliable sources.

Apparently Fardc higher command didn't understand the impact of stopping operations the first time. We have another 5 days delay. It doesn't sound right to me. I wish they had kept a strong pressure on them until they surrender. Looks like somebody doesn't want these operations to succeed.http://radiookapi.net/actualite/2012/05/19/rdc-le-gouvernement-invite-les-mutins-fideles-bosco-ntaganda-regagner-larmee/comment-page-1/#comment-71610

The first part of the article (3 top paragraphs) was talking about the fresh news or the government update on the situation... the the last part of the article (3 last paragraphs) was giving some background to the story, hence " l’Etat-major des FARDC AVAIT..."

U r right my brother, I hav little knowledge of the Tutsi-Hutu major problem. All I know is that they LUV each other to death. U know tell us, what is it? Can it be solved? Or not? More importantly 4 me, should it be solved by the Congolese rather than Tutsis and Hutus themselves ? Because trust me, and this I know, Congolese will always solve any Congolese problem.

What do u mean by: “These Tustis and Hutu fighters are still needed for the future unknown deal by any one.It can be JK,Kagame,Westerns,USA or even one of you.”?

@ Others

It takes just a little shaking 4 our brotherly foes neighbours to come out of the Virunga woodwork and reveal to the world what the truth of the plight of Congolese people in the Kivus is. It is not a Congolese thing, it is a Tutsi-Hutu affair. So, instead of spending billions with Monusco and other mafias, can the IC boldly help Rwandans find each other. Kagame should be compelled to make the political system inclusive to all who renounce hatred, rather than annoyingly glorifying him with this “economic progress” tired song while all Rwandans are extremely poor. Many prominent Rwandan Tutsis say it openly. Why is the IC keeping quit?

You are right it sounds like it but no other source has come up with that line. I know the idea of remaining conciliatory to foot soldiers (mutineers wanting to come back to the loyalists) was still on the table even after the 5 days cease-fire.

here is what rfi says: http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20120519-rdc-mutins-bosco-ntaganda-accules-le-nord-kivu-armee-congolaise

As far as I know there is no cease fire in place let alone a five days one cause yesterday FARDC were shelling alleged m23 positions near Bunagana and that rain made them to stop. This morning there are reports of M23 going on a counter offensive to cut the road rutshuru munagana fighting were ongoing on a small hill near Bunagana where FARDC had an advanced position...

I like this blog. Finally somewhere i can meet Congolese determine to end this agony. Blaise Hutus do not treat Congolese as their enemies. That is why the reason congolese in east are fighting Kagame's agents together with us. Tutsi forces kill Congolese and attribute it to FDLR. Trust me men we have no motif to kill Congolese. For God sake they are our protectors fo the last 15 years. They know we are not here to concur their land. Please understand that Kagame is an imperialism extension in Africa. We fight then where we can. Thats why we are listed as a terrorist group by the west. Being in Congo is a steping stone and we are sorry about that. Every rebellion have to have a geographic area enough to operate in. ZANU was in Mozambique, ANC waz in Zambia so on so on. This not just Congo issue man. It is a global one. Excluding us in ur equation will not solve it....as far as ur resources. We are just nothing compares to Kagame. Now Rwanda and Uganda are the major exporter of Coltan amd Gold.. Kagame network is in billions of dollars now.

KAGAME is the prime hater and anarchist. IMF and other institutions like yhat way so they can control the resources flow. They care less about people men tutsi or hutus. They know that by helping Kagame they are planting seeds of hatred and revenge...they want chaos in the region. They want Kagame

War is nasty and dirty. Especially when it involves multiple groups of gunmen. FDLR fight tutsi armies period. Also i am not denying that there are no hutu militia acting on theirown to steal or paid by Kigali agents to undermine our credibility. just like a lot Congolese are looted and raped by Convolese Army, even killed. But it is not organize by General Didier. I am on your side man. I hope and wish that Congo get stronger. For us Hutu, it is our only hope. I should even say that Congo stability and stable government is the key to the whole region prosperity. You got wealth, big nation and a lot intellectuals than anyone else. But you are also fighting against the most powerful global organization ever lived...

Local informants are adamant that once again FARDC soldiers are being routed by Makenga and Ntaganda boys.You probably recall that when Ntaganda was in disarray, the FARDC high command decided to stop advancing and gave mutiners 5 days. It now appears that the mutiners took full advantage of these days to reorganize and receive help.Now the situation is dire for the FARDC battalions and it seems that we are heading towards a repeat of the Mushaki heavy defeat by the hand of CNDP.FARDC soldiers do not understand why they were ordered to stop fighting when the mutineers were cornered in Masisi. I feel sad for these brave congolese warriors who are being betrayed by their own high command.With these last development people should forget about peace in Kivu for the coming 5 years. With these news, Kabila must be celebrating and drinking a beer. Do not listen to Mende propaganda, who is lying to congolese

I am confident FARDC did the right thing by remaining conciliatory and giving time for those who want to join the loyalists to do so.

It was always expected that rwanda will end up backing his protegees. 300 people cannot resist such a strong army for such a long time. There should be monitors on the other side of the border to ensure rwanda is not taking part in this conflict. This is what I call double standard because we are told to make sure fdlr don't cross to rwanda but at the same time m23 can have supplies from rwanda.

It will be hard but I still think that DRC will end up maybe not today or tomorrow but surely one day FARDC will end up gaining full control of the land of its ancestors.

If FDLR has the capacity to cross into Rwanda, they would have already done it. Fact is they don't. The whole FDLR thing is blown out of proportion. They are a bunch of heavily wounded fighters seeking for safety away from home. They don't represent any credible military opposition to Kagame.

That may all change should disgruntled elements of the RPA ally themselves with FDLR. This is what gives Kagame sleepless nights. What if Gen. Nyamwasa, Karegeya, Rudasingwa join forces with the FDLR?

Another reality is that the crisis in the Kivu is FAR from over. Kagame has to keep a well armed contingent in the east to counter this possible Hutu and Tutsi alliance. It is just a survival tactic for him. Ideally, he should accept political reforms in the country. But his ego will not allow: those who live by the sword, die by it.

Several solutions to the crisis: (1) FDLR is completely defeated leaving no more excuses for Kagame to intervene in DRC. This has been tried but seems to have failed. It is unclear whether Kagame wants FDLR to be permanently defeated or whether he wants them there as a political tactic. Both for local and regional strategic goals. Locally, it enables him to rule Rwanda with an iron fist citing security concerns. Regionally, it enables him to flex his military muscles beyond his borders.

(2) FDLR unites with Tutsi opposition to launch attacks on Kagame. This is unlikely as well. Given the fresh memories on 1994 genocide, I doubt that the world will allow another war to take place on the Rwandan soil. However, judging by the events in Syria, this point might be too naive. This would take the violence back to Rwanda leaving the people of Congo in peace.

(3) Political solution that involves FDLR, CNDP, DRC and Rwanda. This is the only realistic option. To their credit, the DRC government has no problem with this. But the present Rwandan government is composed of Tutsi hardliners.

Does anyone seriously think that Kagame's boys will let go of their commercial interests in the East? Even minerals aside, the biggest source of revenue for them now is agriculture and timber. Rwanda gets most of their charcoal from DRC, while they protect their forests. It is a parasitic and colonial economy with the exception that the colonial master is a fellow black man.

However, as fake as the fdlr menace to rwanda is, it sells well within some influential members of the IC; be it the IC fakes buying it or genuinely buy it, the fact of the matter is, this is the official line and you can here it all the way from kigali to New York and DC giving kagame a green light to clear his unscrupulous behaviour in DRC on the back of that depleted narrative.

Now, why despite the staggering excess death due to conflict in DRC the IC could only meet it with sending in an expensive UN peace keeping mission yet those funding that mission cannot even dare to admit that armed conflict in eastern DRC stems from kigali and deal with the root causes of this ongoing crisis?

Thank God Congolese have very big hearts. Not taking this problem serious now may one day end up making that part of the world a new 'middle east'...

The IC wants bosco ntaganda yet the world knows that ntaganda is with m23 what is the world waiting for to indict m23? the only thing they can do is find new accusations for bosco who is with makenga recruiting under age kids to send them to the front line ...

The FARDC have managed to fend off the attack by m23 to take control of Bugusa a hill located south of Jomba near Bunagana a big crossing point to uganda and indeed rwanda.

Taking Bugusa would have been a big blow to FARDC since this is where they have launched most of their attacks trying to dislodge rebels from the top of tshanzu and kirolirwe hills...

I hope this lasts, I was going for a very depressing night glad to hear FARDC are not easily removed from key positions.

Needless to remind folks here that there are many vulnerable Congolese lives being unjustly traumatized, humiliated and hurt. This must stop and those who can do something to stop this but are not should have the outcries and the tears of all these vulnerable people in their comfortable sleeps away from any immediate danger...

Do Hutu Congolese have the right to defend themselves? Their population has suffered in this region for a very long time.

Hutu civilians are now fleeing Jomba heading towards Bunagana. They claim that both the FARDC and CDNP/M23 is harassing and killing them. It is just a matter of time before another Hutu Mai Mai group arises.

Too much suffering. So much blood wasted and innocent lives lost. When and how will this madness end?

@blaiseI am sorry for angry comments. I agree with you big time. We need to have a dialogue. I am no tribalist. I hate tribalism but the sad reality is that most of the powers in the Congo, and Rwanda are held by the Tutsis and most of the Tutsi leaders are hurting the Rwandese and the Congolese alike. You also go the Hutu criminals too but they are not doing the most damage are the Tutsi. It is sad but that is the reality. We need to find a way to unite all Congolese and remember we are ONE CONGO together and we must do the same to the Rwandese because it will lead to all the crooks like Kagame and JK to leave power and have responsible governments.

For example Rwanda had a peaceful leader during the evil days of Mobutu but Kagame decided to assassinate him and assassinate LD Kabila to have JK in power. JK has shown no leadership and I only hope he can show leadership soon. JK is a big failure in my opinion. He is not qualified to lead a population over 100 million people.

The sad thing is that it is all the Tutsi crooks who have done the most damage. Look at Nkunda, Kagame, JK, and now Bosco. All these men have interest in ruining Congo and Rwanda.

We must have dialogues. That is the opposition to JK need to organize and find a way to get Congo and Rwanda to be stable countries.

There are three things an army need to be successful:food, ammunition and fuel. for my understanding, the M23 is trying to have a foothold of the frontiers in order to have an open supply line. If the Fardc don't seal the borders, this war will go on until they have to negotiate with a weaker hand. Although it won't be an ideal position to turn their back to Rwanda, it will be a good way to oblige Rwanda to commit one way or another, with the world witnessing.(Bring some international reporters, pro Rwanda if possible). I will be curious to see how long the M23 soldiers will survive with limited ammunition and wild banana. I hope that Matata or somebody will tour the region and inspire the entire population to resist. If people are convinced that their cause is just, they will fight to death. Somebody has to do that like LDK and Yerodia did( minus the racist element).

@ FrancoPepeKalle,No need to apologize brother. You may be right about the perceive dominance of the Tutsi but I rather judge people individually than condemn a whole tribe for the sin of some. If they are there, somebody put them there. When an animal is cornered you cannot anticipated what it will do.My point is that we should not take the Rwanda's path of eternal hatred. Mobutu destroyed Congo but one of his legacy was to unit us as one. We went backward with LDK and JK. We are singling out the Tutsi now but how many Hutu are in powers? how many for Maniema? How many for Katanga? Basically, how many people owns their position because of their affiliations?Some Tustsi destroyed the country, so are some other Tribes.The bottom line is that the army/state should reinstate it's authority all over the country. People need justice from a neutral authority. All those wars fuel on a sense of injustice(justify or not) and some people are capitalizing on that.

@blaiseGood points you raise. They are few hutus and maniemans who are big crooks. You got a chunk of Katangese crooks too. None of them have high power. They are followers of the leaders who are Tutsis. That is the unfortunate reality. I don't hate on a group either but sadly the leaders again are Tutsi people. Tutsi who don't want to get invovled in criminal activies are either people in jail or are being tortured. Hutus who are not criminals are also either jail or being tortured too.

Kagame is one of the most evil leaders ever. He won't ever allow his opponents to speak against him because it will ruin his reputation. It is so absurd of how horrible this man is.

I agree, we need to have justice for all and hold everyone accountable.

Franco you are a wiseman. I am FDLR because there is no altenative as far as hutu leaders. Thats the problem. Those Kagame did not kill are jailed for stupid allegations, and those free are so affraid they rather be silent to survive this ICC. The rest are crooks and corrupt to the point where Hutu community almost looks like it vanished. Kagame have the best teachers in his campain, and that is Central Intelligence of America. But there is hope. Look at latin America. From Nicaragua to Bolivia to Venezuela to Brazil, majority are taking over. Years ago that region was CIA playground. Imposing dictators after dictators. This time tgey teied and failed. Lets not loose hope. I have faith in Congolese people especially new generation

American people r starting to know the real Kagame.Check what they r saying of the latest gallivanting of Kagame and his banker sponsor Sanford Weill with a title :Sanford Weill and Paul Kagame: Doctors of Humane Letters?

@Franco PepeKaleMy brother the tutsis are in power in RWANDA but not in Congo. They tried to infiltrate the first KABILA regime but they didn't succeed ,they thought that with Amani Leo ...they will do the samething but we Congolese are not stupid ,we played them and I promise you ,the FARDC are going to finish this job and this is going to be the last criminal game for KAGAME inside our Country. I know you love our Country but Calling KABILA a Rwandese only works in our enemies favor. You don't have to support KABILA, but as a Congolese patriot you need to be proud of this long overdue offensive that our Soldiers (FARDC) have been conducting against the Rwandese war Criminals. You need to understand that we are at war with Rwanda and the Commander in Chief of our FARDC is KABILA. Those thousand of Congolese man who are fighting hard and sacrificing their lives to free our Country against the Rwandese aggressors are not stupid and if their commander in Chief was Rwandese they wouldn't be fighting this hard against the Rwandese aggressors.My Friend the Congoles people are not stupid and Congo will never be a Country dominated by the tutsis or Hutus like many of our irresponsible opposition leaders ,mostly in the diaspora whold like you to believe. We are a smart patriotic people and we will never allow some tutsis to dominate us.and that's the reason why our man and women will fight to the last drop of their blood to stop KAGAME and his war Criminals from their continued interference with our lives. @blaiseI totally disagree with you on the negotiation tactics,we can't continue to negotiate with blood thirsty terrorists who's only aim is to destroy our Country and plunder our minerals.We'v been through that dead end road for over a decade now and millions of our people have lost their lives along the way. KAGAME is a blood thirsty terrorist and he will stop at nothing in his destructive road unless someone stops him.

@ FrancoPepeKalle,I think my point didn't come out right. I didn't imply that those where crooks (even if they are). I was trying to say that the patronage system installed by JK isn't exclusively reserved to Tutsis. Instead of generalizing, I will challenge any one to make a pyramide of 300 men and women who are in charge in congo. Those who hold power: From the president to any civilian position that hold power.It will be interesting to do the same in the army although the actual structure is inherited from 1+4 and Jk, for reasons unknown to me, kept most of them where they were appointed by their movements. At least with facts not just perceptions.I have been told that Bisengimana, while dircab of Mobutu, placed a lot of Tutsis in internationals institutions positions reserved then to Zaire. There is no way for me to verify that. I think there is a link between his son's position and the death of Katumba( supposedly was going to buy land for Kabila in the Idjwi island).I personally don't think we should listen to Fdlr until they get back to Rwanda. I don't trust any Rwandese to have Congolese interests in heart. When i was in Kalemie, the locals didn't trust either Tutsis or Hutus from Rwanda.

@ mwana Congo.Thank you brother ,you are a real patriot ,I am tired of some of the fake patriots(secret Kagame supporters) who are posting on this blog ,every time i read yours or Reach's comments ,I feel so proud .we are going to ween this battle .I want to remind some peoples here that this is not about KABILA, this is about our land ,the land of our ancestors. This is not the FARDC of 1998 ,our army is more stronger and well equipped and this battle is going to result in the long awaited victory against our enemies. We are in Control of their former strongholds of MASISI,RUCHURU,BUNAGANA,...the enemies are on the run and some of them are now surrounded in the VIRUNGA national park with no ether way out but to surrender . We have the man power and air and land fire superiority over the enemies ,no matter how long is going to take ,this battle is going to result in our victory.

@ anonym MAY 20, 2012 1:21 AM,I completely agree understand your stand, I just hope that your strategy will bring an end to this mess. If you follow what the former General M. Bule had to say, you will understand that the foundation of the army is not good. My understanding is that we having success now because we cut them off their supply rout(for now) and some cndp are happy that tied turns against Bosco(for what he did to Nkunda). I believe that if the government is serious about peace, it will put all the necessary institution in place to deliver justice. We are eager to throw the stone to others but we don't see what we are doing ourselves.My position is simple: I'm against any ceasefire, the army had to be clear that any deserters should be punish, strip of their grades,move away,etc. But any uprising is based on a unresolved problem. Although the commanders may have some more obscure reasons, the foot soldiers are motivate by the idea that their cause is just. As long as we would not reconcile the people from Kivus and make them whole again, we will have wars after wars. There is need of justice, that the bottom line.“Justice without force is powerless; force without justice is tyrannical.” Blaise pascal

@ blaiseMy brother ,in kivu there is very many Tribes and for Centuries they always leave together in peace and Harmony ,we Congoles are not a Genocidal people like our next-door neighbors. Despite all the Crimes that KAGAME and his people have done to our people, all Kinyarwanda speaking people have continued to leave in peace inside the Kivu, and at no time they have been stacked or face revenge for all the Crimes that their people have committed against the Congoles people.The Real reconciliation has to be between the HUTUS and TUTSIS in Rwanda but not in Congo.They have exported their Genocide to our Country and force is the only way to send them back.Tutsi or Hutus are all in Congo to plunder our minerals,and they only use the tribal excuse to mislead the international Community. There is never been a tribal war in the Kivu and there is no tribes to reconcile. All the troubles are caused by Rwandan soldiers who are sent by KAGAME to come and plunder our minerals. THOMAS LUBANGA, LAUREN NKUNDA,BOSCO NTAGANDA,....are all agents sent by The KAGAME regime to comme and recruit children,rap ,torture and massacre our man ,woman,and children in order to advance his agenda of destroying our Country and plunder our minerals.

Congoman got it right. Rwanda needs to unite big time. Hutus and Tutsis have been killing each other for over 50 years and it has led to them poisioning Congo too. These two groups have been sucking eachother's blood for a long time.

Plus these two groups have spled their misery into East Congo which also results from Kagame by sending these lowlives like Laurent Nkunda, Thomas Lubanga & Bosco Ntagangda. These three men have all led the army to forcing children into slavery for making coltan and raping women. It is so sad to me.

We must find a solution and a way to get these two groups to grow up and unite always we will end up with a distator soon.

The Kinyarwanda speaking people have never bee attacked by anyone from ether ethnic groups inside the Kivus ,and that's the reason why they're more comfortable living in Congo than in their own Country(RWANDA). There is no tribal Conflicts in Kivu ,this is a foreign invasion and it has to be treated as such.

See this we Africans need to understand our dinamics. Demograpbic borders are much more crucial to prosperity than geo political borders established by Versaille treaty. Those kinyarwanda speaking people you taln about are actually Rwandans. They have more ties to the east than they have to the west. I know this because i myself have relatives in Congo and even in Uganda. So Rwanda might be small but Rwandan population is large...If that is so we can say that Rwandan problems started as a foreign invasion because most of Kagame soldiers came from Uganda and Congo in 1990....The reality is Kagame and his proxies wants wealth and land under their control. He was not following Hutus on his way to Kinshase killing millions of innocent Congolese. He wants power and total control of the central Africa. It may sound stupid but that is the infamous TUTSI LAND PLAN..Once again Hutu never committed genocide. That is the reason why ICC cant even link anything to most of our leaders ...Trust me the issue is Kagame and his Nazis, and not hutu/tutsi hatred..If we wanted too in 1994 we could have wipped them out the face of the earth. But once again that was not our intention. They were spoiled by our hutu government as well as Mobutu government. So please stop putting Hutus in the same basket with this scambags in Kigali...an enemy like this required a common front to defeat him.

I understand your point, 99% of Congoles can't wait to see the return of a friendly majority regime in Rwanda. We all know that the so called genocide is very questionable.there was a war and more Hutus perished in that war.we all wish to see a return of a friendly regime in that country,the problem that we are having is that the so called FDRL have now turned their guns on our people in south Kivu. You can't fight KAGAME from shabunda,or mwenga, your battle needs to be waged inside Your county (RWANDA).I don't think president HABYATIMANA would've agreed with what the so called FDLR are doing in Congo. HABYARIMANA was our friend,he spent time and went to school in BUKAVU and he understood the region better.that's the kind of leader that we all are dreaming to see back in RWANDA. We understand your struggle and we want to see real democracy taking place in your Country. and that's the reason why we are urging the world to stand-up and demand the freedom of Madame INGABIRE.she needs us all to help her in her struggle for justice in RWANDA. She is a NELSON MANDELA of Rwanda,yet her voice has not been silenced in the torture chambers of KIGALI .we totally reject the dead-end battle that the so called FDRL are waging against The people who gave them ,shelter when the entire world rejected them. Over 85% of the Rwandan people wants to see the end of this apartheid Regime of PAUL KAGAME but no one sims to rise and join Madame INGABIRE and start a popular devolution that will bring peace and justice not just in RWANDA but in the entire great lacs Region. We need to see the long overdue RWANDAN SPRING .where is the free INGABIRE movement?we need to see a great lacs Region where all people ,HUTUS,TUTSIS,TWAS,BASHI,REGA,BEMBE,NANDE,HUNDE,HAVUS,....leave together in peace and Harmony .and regime change and real democracy in RWANDA is the only way to achieve this dream .we need to see a Rwanda where all peoples are treated equaly and where opportunities are given to all Rwandan but not just one ethnic group . It's time for the criminal regime of PAUL KAGAME to go,the Kagame regime has brought nothing but death and destruction to our region and they must go and face justice for all the war crimes and crimes against humanity that they have committed to the people of both RWANDA and The DRC.

I totaly 100% agree with you. I think FDLR lack of leadership has made it a dangerously operative group. Also lack of "base arriere" is the issue brother. It is a very bad situation and i agree. Well soon we gona shift operation at least at the borders. Kagame and his friends. In west disrupt so much our leadership. Once again not an excuse to disturb congolese peace.